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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

27 Ranked Colleges
1,379 Degrees Awarded
$18,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master's in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Public Administration is the 47th most popular major in the country with 17,269 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

Across the Southwest region, there were 1,956 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,379 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,078 and $37,227 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 27 colleges that offered a degree in public administration. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality public administration programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the public administration program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Public Administration Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 26 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

#8 in overall quality

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley landed the #1 spot on the list. Edinburg, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 72 students in 2019-2020.

UT Rio Grande Valley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Rio Grande Valley are $15,151, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Public Administration Report

#14 in overall quality

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas at Tyler landed the #2 spot on the list. The University of Texas at Tyler is a medium-sized public school situated in Tyler, Texas. It awarded 11 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Tyler, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Tyler are $16,308.

Read full report on Public Administration at The University of Texas at Tyler

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas A&M International University landed the #3 spot on the list. Texas A&M International University is a medium-sized school located in Laredo, Texas that handed out 9 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M International University are $15,106, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at Texas A&M International University

#7 in overall quality

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Texas landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Denton, Texas, this large public school handed out 61 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNT has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNT are $15,618.

Full UNT Public Administration Report

#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas A&M University - College Station. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in College Station, Texas, and it awarded 112 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M College Station also took the #1 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M College Station are $22,743, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at Texas A&M College Station

#9 in overall quality

The University of Texas at San Antonio came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UTSA is a large public school situated in San Antonio, Texas. It awarded 50 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UTSA also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at San Antonio are $25,807, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at UTSA

#2 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Dallas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. The University of Texas at Dallas is a large school located in Richardson, Texas that handed out 19 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Dallas, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Dallas are $28,610, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at The University of Texas at Dallas

#8

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, University of Arizona did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Arizona is a large public school situated in Tucson, Arizona. It awarded 28 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Arizona did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Arizona are $33,399.

Read more about Public Administration at University of Arizona

#9

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas
#18 in overall quality

Texas Tech University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lubbock, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

Texas Tech also took the #18 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Tech University are $17,530, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at Texas Tech

#24 in overall quality

The University of Texas at El Paso came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UTEP is a public institution located in El Paso, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UTEP not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UTEP are $16,180, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at The University of Texas at El Paso

#11

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
#16 in overall quality

University of Houston did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. This large school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 9 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UH not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UH are $18,689, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at UH

#12

Lamar University

Beaumont, Texas

Lamar University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Lamar University is a public institution located in Beaumont, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $0-$30k list, Lamar University has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Lamar University are $15,699, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Lamar University Public Administration Report

#13

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Texas State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Texas State is a public institution located in San Marcos, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 33 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas State, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas State are $17,040, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Texas State University

#3 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Arlington came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. The University of Texas at Arlington is a large public school situated in Arlington, Texas. It awarded 84 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Arlington also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #3. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UT Arlington are $23,376.

Read full report on Public Administration at UT Arlington

#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, New Mexico State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. New Mexico State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 7 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

NMSU Main Campus did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at New Mexico State University - Main Campus are $18,275, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full NMSU Main Campus Public Administration Report

#16

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas
#22 in overall quality

Sam Houston State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Sam Houston State University is a large public school situated in Huntsville, Texas. It awarded 15 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

SHSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Sam Houston State University are $15,704.

Read more about Public Administration at Sam Houston State University

#6 in overall quality

University of Phoenix - Arizona landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UOPX - Arizona is a private for-profit institution located in Tempe, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 123 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UOPX - Arizona also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at UOPX - Arizona are $17,096, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at University of Phoenix - Arizona

#18

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
#13 in overall quality

Northern Arizona University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Flagstaff, Arizona, this large public school awarded 10 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

NAU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Arizona University are $19,489, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Northern Arizona University

#19

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Arizona State University - Skysong did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, this large public school handed out 14 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $0-$30k list, ASU - Skysong has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Arizona State University - Skysong are $6,724, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at ASU - Skysong

Stephen F Austin State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Stephen F Austin State University is located in Nacogdoches, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

SFASU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SFASU are $15,695, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Stephen F Austin State University

#15 in overall quality

University of Central Oklahoma came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Edmond, Oklahoma, this fairly large public school handed out 20 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

UCO also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Central Oklahoma are $17,913, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at UCO

#5 in overall quality

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Norman, Oklahoma, this large public school handed out 35 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

University of Oklahoma did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus are $23,236, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

#22

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico
#20 in overall quality

University of New Mexico - Main Campus landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of New Mexico - Main Campus is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 48 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

UNM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNM are $19,890, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UNM Public Administration Report

#23

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, Texas
#11 in overall quality

Tarleton State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Tarleton is located in Stephenville, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Tarleton also took the #11 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Tarleton are $15,485, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Tarleton State University Public Administration Report

#24

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona
#10 in overall quality

Grand Canyon University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Phoenix, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 266 students in 2019-2020.

Grand Canyon University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Grand Canyon University are $11,436, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Grand Canyon University Public Administration Report

#25

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, Texas
#25 in overall quality

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Texas A&M Corpus Christi is located in Corpus Christi, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 29 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Texas A&M Corpus Christi also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #25. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M Corpus Christi are $15,683, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi Public Administration Report

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Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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